Severall
LETTERS
TO
THE
HONOURABLE
William
Lenthall
,
Esquire
,
Speaker
of
the
House
of
Commons
;
And
to
the
Committee
of
both
Kingdoms
,
concerning
the
State
of
Sir
Tho
.
Fairfax
Army
.
Shewing
the
obedience
of
the
Souldiers
,
which
were
Mutiniers
to
the
Commands
of
the
Parliament
,
and
their
readinesse
to
serve
the
State
,
under
the
Command
of
Sir
Thomas
Fairfax
.
Together
with
Sergeant-Major
▪
Generall
Skippons
SPEECH
,
to
all
the
Officers
and
Souldiers
,
and
their
concurrence
thereunto
.
With
a
Letter
of
Serjeant-Major
Skippons
,
shewing
the
readinesse
of
the
Souldiers
,
to
go
on
in
this
expedition
.
ORdered
by
the
Commons
Assembled
in
Parliament
,
that
these
Letters
be
forthwith
Printed
and
Published
.
H
:
Elsynge
,
Cler
.
Parl
.
D.
Com
.
London
,
Printed
for
Edward
Husbands
.
1645.
To
the
Right
Worshipfull
,
Sir
John
Evelyn
,
Sir
Henry
Vane
▪
junior
;
Master
Sollicitor
,
or
either
of
them
.
Honoured
Sir
,
WE
being
desired
to
further
the
service
of
the
State
;
And
having
seen
very
much
of
Gods
over-ruling-Providence
upon
the
Spirits
both
of
Commanders
,
and
Souldiers
,
in
our
entrance
upon
that
great
work
at
Reading
,
where
our
presence
and
assistance
was
desired
by
the
Major
▪
Generall
;
who
on
Friday
night
,
so
soon
as
ever
we
came
into
the
Garrison
,
gave
order
to
draw
out
the
five
Regiments
,
formerly
under
the
Command
of
his
Excellencie
,
the
Earl
of
Essex
▪
and
five
Companies
of
my
Lord
Roberts
,
into
the
field
on
the
next
morning
:
We
thought
it
our
duty
to
acquaint
you
with
the
proceedings
at
that
meeting
.
The
Regiments
and
Companies
aforesaid
,
being
drawn
up
according
to
Order
;
The
M●jor
Generall
marched
in
the
head
of
all
the
Regiments
,
being
accompanied
with
us
,
and
the
Commissioners
in
the
Army
,
who
were
received
with
a
generall
shout
and
acclamation
of
the
souldiers
:
The
complement
of
the
field
being
over
,
each
Regiment
was
drawn
apa●t
;
And
then
the
Major-Generall
applied
himself
,
First
,
to
his
Excellencies
regiment
,
&
there
commanded
all
the
Officers
to
draw
together
to
the
head
of
the
Regiment
,
and
the●e
exprest
himself
with
much
gravity
,
and
sweetnesse
of
spirit
,
to
the
Officers
and
Souldiers
of
that
Regiment
,
to
this
effect
:
(
I
think
we
may
say
verbatim
)
as
is
expressed
in
the
inclosed
:
The
like
to
all
the
rest
with
some
little
variations
:
Upon
the
close
of
his
Speech
to
each
Regiment
,
both
the
Officers
to
be
co●tinued
,
and
those
that
were
to
be
dismissed
,
did
witnesse
much
readinesse
to
obey
the
Commands
of
Parliament
;
and
likewise
very
much
civility
to
the
Major
▪
Generall
:
And
the
Souldiers
they
generally
exprest
their
joy
at
the
close
of
every
Speech
,
without
any
reluctancie
in
any
of
them
;
declaring
,
that
now
they
hoped
(
ere
long
)
they
should
be
in
action
.
And
farther
,
Whereas
divers
Inferiour
Officers
went
off
upon
the
Reducement
,
they
have
listed
themselves
as
common
Souldiers
:
So
that
we
trust
,
you
will
have
such
an
account
of
this
businesse
,
as
that
you
could
not
desire
a
better
.
The
inhabitants
of
this
▪
Garrison
,
who
have
been
witnesses
of
their
former
mutinous
dispositions
,
do
very
much
wonder
at
so
great
a
change
in
the
same
;
and
truly
,
the
mighty
hand
of
God
was
very
visible
in
the
work
.
We
are
sorry
that
we
have
troubled
you
with
so
long
a
Scrible
,
the
rather
because
we
have
an
intimation
,
that
the
Commissioners
here
have
written
to
Master
Speaker
,
touching
these
Affairs
:
however
,
lest
they
should
omit
what
to
our
apprehensions
was
most
remarkable
,
we
have
taken
the
boldnesse
to
give
you
this
trouble
:
From
,
Reading
,
this
6.
of
April
.
1645.
Sir
,
Your
most
humble
Servants
,
-
Francis
Allein
.
-
John
Dethick
.
The
inclosed
Speech
of
Serjeant-Maior-Generall
Skippon
.
Gentlemen
,
and
fellow
Souldiers
all
,
I
am
now
to
acquaint
you
with
the
Commands
of
Parliament
;
to
which
in
conscience
to
God
,
and
love
to
our
Country
,
we
are
bound
to
give
all
ready
and
cheerfull
obedience
.
There
is
a
necessity
lies
upon
us
(
since
three
Armies
are
to
be
reduced
into
one
)
that
some
Commanders
and
Officers
must
go
out
of
their
Imployments
,
wherein
they
now
are
.
It
is
not
out
of
any
personall
dis-respect
to
any
of
you
that
shall
now
go
off
;
Therefore
I
hope
you
will
behave
your selves
accordingly
.
I
have
received
Order
from
the
House
of
Commons
,
to
take
notice
what
the
comportment
sh●ll
be
of
those
who
must
now
go
off
;
and
to
certifie
it
unto
them
.
I
know
you
will
behave
your selves
like
men
of
Honour
and
honesty
(
as
indeed
you
are
)
and
that
I
shall
have
no
cause
,
but
to
make
a
good
report
of
you
;
which
I
shall
do
,
according
to
your
carriage
in
this
Reducement
,
both
to
the
Speaker
of
the
Honourable
House
of
Commons
,
and
to
the
Committee
of
both
Kingdoms
,
and
that
particular
Committee
which
are
appointed
to
take
you
into
consideration
,
and
to
take
in
your
Accompts
,
and
pay
you
part
of
your
Arreares
at
present
,
and
for
the
rest
,
you
are
to
have
a
Debenter
upon
the
Publique-Faith
of
the
Kingdom
.
But
if
there
shall
be
any
among
you
,
who
out
of
any
personall
respect
,
or
private
discontent
,
shall
make
any
disturbance
in
this
Reducement
;
so
as
to
obstruct
or
hinder
a
work
of
so
Publique
concernment
;
I
shall
not
fail
to
give
him
his
true
Character
to
the
State
,
without
personall
respect
to
any
.
And
therefore
let
no
man
deceive
himself
;
for
although
he
may
perhaps
occasion
some
trouble
in
the
present
businesse
,
yet
in
the
Issue
,
the
greatest
mischief
will
fall
upon
himself
:
But
I
hope
I
shall
finde
none
such
here
.
There
is
(
at
present
)
a
fortnights
pay
to
be
paid
to
such
Officers
as
shall
go
off
;
which
they
shall
presently
have
upon
their
Muster
:
And
as
for
the
Officers
,
●nd
Souldiers
that
are
continued
,
(
as
soon
as
they
shall
be
Mustered
and
Listed
)
they
also
shall
h●ve
a
fortnights
pay
;
and
there
are
Clothes
come
down
for
the
Souldiers
already
in
part
;
and
I
assure
you
,
That
upon
my
Life
and
Honour
,
there
are
more
providing
,
and
you
shall
be
all
furnished
with
Coats
,
Breeches
,
Shirts
,
Stockins
,
Shooes
,
and
such
Armes
as
you
shall
stand
in
need
of
;
with
all
good
usage
and
constant
pay
.
And
that
as
I
have
been
with
you
hitherto
,
so
upon
all
occasions
of
service
to
my
God
and
Country
,
I
shall
by
the
help
of
God
,
be
willing
to
live
,
and
dye
with
you
.
To
the
Honourable
William
Lenthall
Esquire
,
Speaker
of
the
Commons
House
of
Parliament
,
Assembled
at
Westminster
.
Right
Worthily
Honoured
Sir
,
YEsterday
by
Gods
e●peciall
bl●ssing
upon
my
poor
endeavours
,
the
work
of
Reducement
here
,
is
quietly
,
and
(
I
hope
)
throughly
settled
,
both
Officers
and
Souldiers
demeaning
themselves
with
all
ready
obedi●nce
to
the
Commands
of
Parliament
.
As
soon
as
I
can
ge●
an
exact
list
of
the
officers
that
are
gone
off
,
I
shal●
(
God
willing
)
wi●h
all
humblen●ss●
,
send
the
s●me
to
this
Honourable
House
;
that
(
as
shall
seem
best
unto
you
)
they
may
be
taken
into
your
further
consideration
.
I
in●end
(
by
Gods
assistance
)
to
prosecu●e
this
businesse
of
Reducing
the
rest
in
other
places
,
with
all
possible
diligence
and
faithfulnesse
;
hoping
by
Gods
further
favour
,
in
a
short
time
to
bring
the
same
to
a
wished
●ssue
;
whereof
I
shall
(
by
Gods
help
)
from
time
to
time
give
you
a
true
accompt
.
Onely
I
most
humbly
beseech
you
,
that
Cloathes
and
Armes
may
be
suddenly
sent
to
Windsor
,
for
their
further
supply
and
encouragement
:
as
also
for
the
spe●dier
fi●ting
them
for
the
publique
service
,
the
advancement
whereof
we
heartily
long
af●er
;
and
I
hope
in
the
strength
of
the
Almighty
shall
with
the
uttermost
hazard
of
our
lives
endeavour
:
may
it
please
you
(
if
it
be
not
done
already
)
to
take
some
speedy
▪
and
certain
course
for
money
to
pay
those
Horse
that
were
of
His
Excellencies
and
Sir
William
Balfores
Regiments
,
equall
with
the
rest
of
the
Horse
that
were
of
His
Excellencies
Army
,
that
the
Reducing
of
them
may
not
be
hindered
or
prejudiced
.
Mr.
Allein
.
and
Mr.
Det●ick
,
now
the
present
Treasurers
of
the
Army
here
;
as
also
th●
Commissioners
appointed
by
Parliament
,
have
with
all
love
,
care
and
industry
,
furthered
this
great
work
:
which
let
it
please
you
to
take
notice
of
,
being
a
very
good
and
seasonable
service
to
the
State
.
I
humbly
crave
pardon
for
my
great
boldnesse
,
and
ever
remain
,
Reading
,
the
6.
of
Aprill
,
1645.
11.
at
Night
.
Honoured
Sir
,
Your
Obliged
Faithfull
Servant
,
Ph
:
Skippon
.
To
the
Honourable
,
William
Lenthall
,
Esquire
,
Speaker
to
the
House
of
Commons
.
Honourable
Sir
,
HAving
lately
prest
upon
the
distemperatures
of
this
Garrison
(
occasioned
principally
from
the
tottering
condition
of
such
Officers
as
were
to
be
reduced
,
whence
undoubtedly
grew
their
discontents
,
and
by
whose
influence
,
the
Mutinies
of
the
Souldier
took
rise
,
as
appeared
to
us
from
more
then
common
observation
,
which
according
to
our
duty
(
though
to
our
hazard
)
we
have
both
laboured
to
suppresse
,
to
qualifie
at
least
,
and
to
present
you
the
Intelligence
:
)
We
proceed
to
acqu●int
you
;
Th●t
upon
the
happy
coming
down
of
Serjeant
Major
Generall
Skippon
,
the
work
we
so
long
so
earnestly
desired
,
and
so
much
feared
,
was
yesterday
by
the
great
blessing
of
God
happily
accomplished
.
Upon
Friday
,
towards
night
,
Major-Generall
was
welcomed
here
,
with
acclamations
of
joy
,
serving
as
a
good
Omen
,
and
incouragement
,
to
the
next
dayes
businesse
.
That
night
the
Officers
coming
to
welcome
him
,
received
much
satisfaction
,
b●
understanding
from
him
the
providentiall
care
the
Parliament
had
of
them
,
by
ordering
a
Committee
to
receive
the
Major-Generalls
Character
,
touching
the
merit
,
or
demerit
,
of
such
as
were
designed
to
be
laid
aside
,
ti●l
some
other
opportunity
for
imployment
;
as
also
,
to
order
the
auditing
their
Debenters
▪
promoting
some
part
of
their
Arrer●s
,
and
promising
Publique-Faith
for
the
rest
.
This
not
only
calmed
them
for
that
night
,
brought
them
in
due
time
next
day
to
observe
their
Orders
for
drawing
the
five
Regiments
into
the
Forebury
,
but
won
them
(
after
his
publique
signification
in
the
head
of
every
Regiment
,
touching
the
Parliaments
respects
to
the
reduc'd
Officers
,
as
also
their
extraordinary
provisions
of
Pay
and
Apparell
for
the
Private
Souldiers
,
who
had
liberty
offered
to
chuse
their
Commanders
,
after
the
four
standing
Captains
of
his
Excellenlencies
Regiment
were
recruited
)
to
deliver
up
their
men
to
such
as
stood
,
in
such
a
method
,
and
with
such
discretion
and
obedience
to
your
Commands
,
that
not
a
dissenting
souldier
,
nor
discontented
countenance
,
could
well
be
discovered
;
so
as
they
orderly
marcht
thence
in
three
reduc'd
Regiments
,
cheerfully
into
three
Churches
,
where
we
forthwith
inrolled
every
Officer
and
souldier
,
as
they
entred
the
new
List
,
closed
the
Books
that
evening
,
and
with
like
diligence
see
the
Private
Souldier
paid
,
and
most
of
the
reduc'd
Officers
.
In
this
action
(
though
the
work
speak
it
,
yet
)
cannot
we
passe
by
the
Major-Generals
great
pains
,
and
excellent
way
of
invitation
,
without
a
deserved
Emphasis
,
and
Commemoration
.
To
morrow
(
by
Gods
assistance
)
we
shall
finish
the
rest
:
That
done
,
proceed
to
the
Reducement
elsewhere
,
and
what
other
Rules
the
Major-Generall
shall
give
us
to
walk
by
▪
Neverthelesse
,
clothing
,
and
compleat
arming
,
requires
speedy
accomplishment
,
the
season
inviting
,
and
Major-Generall
having
by
promise
ingaged
himself
to
them
,
unto
that
purpose
.
In
these
Affairs
(
if
with
modesty
we
may
speak
it
)
we
have
exprest
what
might
with
advantage
conduce
to
make
the
work
prosperous
,
and
go
on
with
such
alacrity
,
and
caution
,
as
may
worthily
render
us
serviceable
,
and
answerable
to
the
trust
reposed
in
us
:
which
especially
adds
the
interest
of
being
Reading
6.
April
.
1645.
Sir
,
Your
Honours
most
faithfull
and
obedient
Servants
,
-
Martin
Pyndar
.
-
H.
Leighton
.
-
Tho
.
Herbert
.
-
Jo
.
Potter
.
FINIS
.